All of these events, purely secular in purpose and execution, have far more pomp -- more solemnity -- more *verve*, than the Catholic Mass. And not by accident,
Indeed. Like it or not, we must admit flash attracts people sometimes, even to a church. I was raised Catholic, and, yes, I remember Protestants criticizing our church for what they considered expensive displays. But, in visiting Protestant churches today, I'm noticing there's a lot of money being invested into "community centers" complete with gyms and recreation rooms, etc. In many ways, church is like a business, too. I hope I'm not flamed for saying so, but that's how I see it.
This often goes toward nurturing those to go along to get along as opposed to nurturing the disciplines of daily service to God both personally, locally, and globally. It is sort of as if they are doing everything but what God intended--practicing the superficial fruits instead of planting the seed and letting God reward and guide. People then expect all the fun and feeling oriented pleasures of church and lose sight of the disciplines and rigorous practice of daily, hourly, serving of the Lord. It is hard enough with all of our energies toward it. Now it seems even the church itself distracts.
This is why the Pope changed the greeting place in mass and took it away and replaced it with solemn, meditative moments surrounding communion.